I think the biggest problem with the typical resolution to go to the gym more often is the failure to truly enjoy the gym. If eating ice cream weren't enjoyable for you, then you wouldn't eat it, right? So why should you go to the gym if it's god-awful? Well, maybe.
Hear me out on this: maybe you can learn to enjoy the gym. Jesus, I'm crazy. I know. I'm not proclaiming to be some fitness expert or marathon runner. I do, however, know how to get myself excited to go to the gym. Not every single one of these ideas will help you out most likely, but my goal is for you to find at least one thing in this list that suits you.
1. Making a playlist
Yes, bust out all the happy dance music you know for that cardio workout you're dragging yourself to do. Sweating and feeling like death is much more doable when listening to literally anything except for the sound of your own breathing.
2. New/different workout attire
New workout pants, whether from Lululemon (who the hell has the money for that?) or Target (realistically) can make a world of difference. I know that when I have something new to wear, I need to find an excuse to wear it. Get yourself an excuse to workout!
3. Setting goals
Important: you need to have a purpose for everything that you're doing! Putting in work at the gym seems like a waste of time if you're not working towards any specific goal. Maybe you want to tone up your arms or just release your negative energy, the point is that you need to have something to accomplish. Motivation is key. Personally, I have made it a point to try something new every time I go to the gym to keep things interesting, whether it be a new machine or different arm workout.
4. Going with a friend
Accountability. That's what I'm trying to get at here. No slacking on the extra rep or skipping a day if there's someone there to stop you! Just make sure you're both willing to see each other at your worst.
5. Staying focused on yourself
I suppose this comes down to the fatal flaw in our species which would be comparing ourselves to others. However, I believe it's best to work on that flaw in all of us by giving smaller tasks to accomplish little by little. As far as the gym goes, try to not glance over at the next treadmill to see how many miles that person is running and just be content with your own pace.
6. Rewards
This is definitely the best part. Although exercising is technically supposed to be reward enough because it's great for your health, it wasn't enough for my greedy self. You don't necessarily have to be working towards a cake or milkshake... Maybe a delicious smoothie or an hour (more like 10 hours if you're anything like me) of Netflix will do.
7. Make a schedule
Walking into the gym and not having any idea what you're supposed to be doing can be quite daunting. Take some time before you decide to go to map out what you want to accomplish and how you'll do that. Monday I focus on legs, Tuesday is rest, Wednesday is cardio, and so on. All it takes is one trip to the gym to finally start getting yourself into the hang of your schedule.
So what are you waiting for? The gym awaits. It doesn't have to be the start of a new year to set new goals for yourself. You are awesome and capable and there is nothing stopping you.
